Senior Policy Advisor

Join our bustling Secretariat at the Ministry of Transportation, spearheading the overall strategy, program management and cross-government and municipal coordination supporting the upload of selected municipal highways / expressways to the province, including the Gardiner Expressway, the Don Valley Parkway, and Ottawa Road 174.

With a focus on policy, technical expertise, and stakeholder management, we're at the forefront of strengthening Ontario and its places. As we execute on a high-priority government initiative, we're seeking strategic, proactive, and organized leaders to ensure these highways' long-term sustainability for the benefit of drivers, corridor users, and commerce across the Greater Toronto Area and throughout the province.

This is a dynamic opportunity to drive accountability, quality control, and deliver on a top government priority. If you're ready to thrive in a fast-paced environment, collaborate with a high-performing team, and make a meaningful impact, this is the role for you.

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?

In this role, you will:
• Undertake all aspects of the analysis, planning, development, and communication of provincial transportation, land use and environmental policies, legislation and regulations that influence and address major issues in Ontario's transportation network
• Conducts creative analysis and develops innovative strategies and proposals to promote the ministry's transportation policy objectives
• Provide technical advice and policy expertise to senior management, the Deputy, and the Minister
• Develop and foster effective relationships/partnerships with industry, other levels of government, and across ministries while considering diverse interests of various internal/external stakeholders.
• Develop complex planning and policy reports and Cabinet submissions with recommendations to support policy on transportation planning objectives, and coordinate the preparation of briefing notes, contentious issues notes and provides input on communications materials and messaging

How do I qualify?

Project Management and Planning Skills

• You have project management skills to consult and coordinate projects with internal and external stakeholders.
• You can use project management and planning skills to ensure viability of all reports and recommendations.
• You can use planning skills to plan, organize and execute projects with teams of staff and consultants.

Analytical, Problem Solving and Research Skills

• You can identify and prioritize complex issues and concerns and bring forward solution-oriented actions.
• You have analytical and problem-solving skills to lead research and analysis of developments in support of transportation initiatives.
• You can evaluate competing interests and identify issues and impacts to develop negotiating strategies and solutions using problem solving skills.
• You have demonstrated research skills to plan and undertake complex transportation policy research.

Policy & Planning Knowledge

• You have knowledge of government planning and policy development processes and strategic directions to plan, develop and coordinate major transportation projects.
• You have knowledge of the transportation sector and multi-modal transportation theory principles and practices to anticipate emerging issues and trends and identify social, environmental and land use impacts.
• You have knowledge of municipal structure and fiscal planning to determine impacts and assess requests.
• You have oral and written communication skills to provide expert advice to senior management; to prepare complex reports and recommendations; and to explain/discuss ministry and government policies and directions with a wide variety of contacts.

Communication and Consultation Skills

• You can use your collaboration and consultation skills to identify areas of concern and resolve problems with municipal officials, agency officials and partner ministries.
• You have partnership and consensus building skills to develop effective linkages with multi-jurisdictional stakeholders.
• You can prepare reports, presentations, briefings and recommendations.
• You can discuss policies and directions with a variety of contacts.
• You can prepare and present to senior management and stakeholders.

Risk and Issues Management

• You have knowledge of risk management and risk assessment practices to manage highly sensitive and contentious initiatives in order to develop strategies, broad-reaching projects and initiatives, and recommend innovative change approaches
• You have knowledge of issues management techniques and principles, and organizational theory and policies to understand operational and organizations risk and impacts